A group of students in your class doesn't understand the concept of refraction. Outline an investigation you would set up to help them understand the concept of refraction. In your experiment you should have: What they need, what to do and conclusion that can be drawn.
To help the group of students understand the concept of refraction, you can set up a simple experiment using the following outline:
1. Materials needed:
- A glass or transparent container filled with water
- A pencil or any other straight object
- Ruler or measuring tape
- A light source (e.g., flashlight)
2. Procedure:
a. Fill the glass or transparent container with water until it is about three-quarters full.
b. Place the container on a stable surface.
c. Turn on the light source and position it so that it shines towards the container from one side.
d. Take the pencil or straight object and place it vertically in the water, making sure it is straight and upright.
e. Observe how the pencil appears when viewed from the side of the container and note any changes.
f. Now, slowly move the pencil to one side while still keeping it submerged in the water, and observe any further changes in its appearance.
g. Measure the apparent shift or displacement of the pencil as it moves from the water to the air.
3. Conclusion:
The experiment will help draw the following conclusions:
a. When light passes from one medium (such as air) to another (such as water), it undergoes a phenomenon known as refraction.
b. Refraction occurs when light waves change direction as they pass from one medium to another due to a change in their speed.
c. The observed changes in the position and appearance of the pencil as it moves from the water to the air are a result of refraction.
d. The measured apparent shift or displacement of the pencil provides a quantifiable measure of the refraction angle, which can be used to understand the concept further.
By conducting this simple experiment, the students will have a hands-on experience with the concept of refraction and can observe the changes in light's behavior as it passes through different mediums. This will enhance their understanding of refraction and its effects.